Last fall, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community began having conversations about the future of East Tennessee State University – conversations about where we want our institution to be in the next 5, 10, and 25 years as part of our 125 Vision effort.

I want to encourage each of you to be part of this visioning process and to join me for an ETSU Town Hall/Workshop on Wednesday, February 27, from 4-6 p.m. at the Millennium Centre. The purpose of this event will be for members of our campus community and the region to learn about some of the recommendations being considered by our Committee for 125. These recommendations, put forward by a group of specialized task forces during the fall 2012, encompass a variety of opportunities, including possible new programs, goals, and initiatives that have significant potential to affect the growth, development, and influence of your ETSU in the future. The Committee for 125 continues to seek your input as these recommendations are being studied in preparation for a final report to be presented later this spring.

During the Town Hall/Workshop, you will have the opportunity to speak with each task force chair, review the recommendations and related data, and ask questions. Your views are extremely important as this final report from the Committee for 125 will be pivotal in positioning ETSU strategically for the next 25 years.

Again, I thank you for being part of this exciting time as we dream about the future of East Tennessee State University. You can learn more about these recommendations by visiting our ETSU 125 website at www.etsu.edu/125. I look forward to seeing you on February 27.